Branscombe air day organiser success vow

DESPITE Branscombe Charity Air Day making a loss thousand of pounds this year, its organiser has vowed to make it a success in 2010.

The air day was revived after a three-year absence but much to the dismay of organiser David Hayman, who owns Branscombe Airfield, it lacked the popularity of previous events.

Only 2,500 people turned up, in comparison to a peak of 10,000 visitors and Mr Hayman made a personal loss of �6,000.

There were fears that the air day, which has raised thousands of pounds for charity in the past, would be cancelled after Mr Hayman said putting it on again would be a "personal risk".

But, speaking to the Herald this week, Mr Hayman confirmed he has already started planning next year's air day and will make some major changes.

He said: "Pending any disasters we will be running another one next year. The major factor this year was changing the day from the traditional Sunday to Saturday.

"We were competing with four other local events on the day so we have decided to put it back to the Sunday."

My Hayman said he has been in talks with Children's Hospice South West (CHSW), the charity which was meant to benefit from this year's event, and it has been agreed the money raised next year will go to the charity.

He added: "We will also be making small donations to CHSW and the Royal British Legion this year but nowhere near the size of what we hoped to donate."

The event was organised in only three months and Mr Hayman believes with forward planning the "momentum" of the day can be regained.

He said he has big plans for the 2010 air day and has already put in a bid for the RAF Red Arrows and the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.

Mr Hayman said: "At the minute we have just put bids in so it is early days, but we hope it could be a serious event.